(CNN) -- Don't you just love a parade? Apparently the Obama administration does too, as evidenced by the steady stream of top U.S. officials visiting Israel this week. A bevy of heavy hitters are there, the likes of which haven't been seen since the Persian Gulf War.
Just as Defense Secretary Robert Gates wrapped up his meetings there, Mideast peace envoy George Mitchell arrived for talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mitchell will be followed later this week by national security adviser James Jones and Dennis Ross, the White House's point man on Iran.
Aaron Miller, a former Mideast peace negotiator under President Clinton and author of "The Much Too Promised Land: America's Elusive Search for Arab-Israeli Peace," calls it "the big hug," a show of reassurance to Israel that the U.S.-Israeli relationship remains strong despite the current squabble over settlements.
To be sure, ties between the countries have been strained over President Obama's insistence that Israel halt all settlements as part of his drive for a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace, including a Palestinian state. And Israel is concerned Obama's engagement policy vis-à-vis Iran will come at the expense of its security. Video Watch how the settlement issue remains a major stumbling block »
But the flurry of diplomatic activity sends a strong signal that these disagreements are minor in comparison to how central the U.S.-Israel relationship is and how large Israel looms in every piece of the American policy puzzle in the Mideast.
Which is why Gates offered Israel security reassurances with talks on Iran and missile defense.
And why Mitchell emphasized the enduring strength of the friendship between the United States and Israel and has been working on a deal with the Israelis on settlements, which is expected to include a freeze on construction but would allow several hundred buildings already under construction to be exempted.
Just as Defense Secretary Robert Gates wrapped up his meetings there, Mideast peace envoy George Mitchell arrived for talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mitchell will be followed later this week by national security adviser James Jones and Dennis Ross, the White House's point man on Iran.
Aaron Miller, a former Mideast peace negotiator under President Clinton and author of "The Much Too Promised Land: America's Elusive Search for Arab-Israeli Peace," calls it "the big hug," a show of reassurance to Israel that the U.S.-Israeli relationship remains strong despite the current squabble over settlements.
To be sure, ties between the countries have been strained over President Obama's insistence that Israel halt all settlements as part of his drive for a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace, including a Palestinian state. And Israel is concerned Obama's engagement policy vis-à-vis Iran will come at the expense of its security. Video Watch how the settlement issue remains a major stumbling block »
But the flurry of diplomatic activity sends a strong signal that these disagreements are minor in comparison to how central the U.S.-Israel relationship is and how large Israel looms in every piece of the American policy puzzle in the Mideast.
Which is why Gates offered Israel security reassurances with talks on Iran and missile defense.
And why Mitchell emphasized the enduring strength of the friendship between the United States and Israel and has been working on a deal with the Israelis on settlements, which is expected to include a freeze on construction but would allow several hundred buildings already under construction to be exempted.
